KUT Austin Expands Coverage with Two New Beat Roles

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 7:44pm CT

Greta Diaz Gonzalez Vazquez and Leigh Walden

KUT-FM in Austin is expanding its local news coverage with two new beat assignments focused on education and the rapidly growing Hays County region.

Greta Diaz Gonzalez Vazquez (far left) has been named the station's education reporter, covering K-12 and higher education across Central Texas. A familiar voice to listeners of Morning Edition on KUT 90.5, she will report on how policy changes and regional growth are affecting schools, families and educators, with an emphasis on equity, accountability and the experiences of marginalized communities.

Diaz Gonzalez Vazquez began her public radio career in Mexico as a multimedia journalist, earning multiple national and state awards. She holds a master's degree in journalism from the University of North Texas and is inviting story tips in both English and Spanish.

Leigh Walden, who joined KUT News in January as a multimedia journalist, has been assigned to cover Hays County, one of the fastest-growing areas in Central Texas. Her previous experience includes roles at The Denver Post, National Public Radio, Alaska Public Media and The Montana Free Press.

Originally from Larkspur, Colorado, Walden has reported extensively on the impacts of growth, development and cultural change in small communities. She is a graduate of Colorado College, where she studied computer science and journalism and served as editor-in-chief of her campus newspaper.